Paula Eakin Named Winemaker for Michelle Sparkling Wine

Woodinville, Wash.

Washington state’s largest sparkling wine producer Michelle by Domaine Ste. Michelle will name Paula Eakin winemaker in April when winemaker Rick Casqueiro retires after nearly 20 years. Paula has assisted Casqueiro for the past two years on the Domaine Ste. Michelle blends and has spent the past 20 years making wine in Washington state. Eakin will be on hand to showcase Michelle sparkling wines at Taste Washington in Seattle, March 28 & 29.

“Sparkling wine fascinates me,” says Eakin. “I enjoy the pop of the cork and pouring of the wine into the flute and watching the tiny bubbles ascend in the glass. Bubbles are great anytime not just holidays and celebrations. More than that, though, I love the entire sparkling winemaking process from grapes to disgorge bottling - the traditional second fermentation in the bottle that is key to quality sparkling wine.”

Eakin has more than 20 years of experience making wines in Washington state as part of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. She started her winemaking career at Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Canoe Ridge Estate winery as a lab technician in 1994 shortly after college. In 2001, she joined sister winery Columbia Crest as an enologist and was promoted to assistant winemaker in 2004, specializing in white wines and most recently assisting with Michelle sparkling wines.

A Northwest native, Eakin was born in Spokane, Washington, and raised in northern Idaho. She earned a degree in food and nutrition at the University of Idaho. She believes Eastern Washington is ideally suited to growing premium sparkling wine grapes.

“Eastern Washington’s dry, warm climate and cool night time temperatures produce balanced flavorful grapes with crisp acidity, which is critical for quality sparkling wine,“ says Eakin. “Our growing conditions and northerly latitude produce sparkling wines with delicate aromatics and flavors. I look forward to spending more time in the vineyards and working with our growers and vineyard managers to find the best fruit possible for our cuvées.”

About Michelle Sparkling Wine
Michelle by Domaine Ste. Michelle is the largest producer of sparkling wine in Washington state. The winery has been crafting traditional French-style sparkling wines using premium grapes from Washington state’s Columbia Valley since 1978. Crafted in the traditional méthode champenoise, Michelle sparkling wines have delicate varietal aromas and flavors that are beautifully balanced by the fruit’s natural acidity. Michelle sparkling wines include Brut, Brut Rosé and Extra Dry and are available nationally with a suggested retail price of $14. Michelle also offers Luxe, a limited release vintage sparkling wine ($23).

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For further information:
Lynda Eller
media@ste-michelle.com